If you recently got engaged, celebrating the big news with friends, family members, and loved ones is probably on your mind.

Engagement parties and bachelorette parties are both part of the deal when you’re planning a traditional wedding.

Engagement parties are not meant to be confused with bachelorette parties, by the way! These events couldn’t be more different.

Should you be celebrating both in preparation for your wedding day?

Is it necessary to have both an engagement party AND bachelorette party?

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are typically celebrated in fun destinations like Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Miami, and Hollywood.

They’re considered a last hurrah for engaged individuals who are about to commit themselves to someone else for the rest of their life.

Typical bachelorette parties are hosted at nightclubs, lounges, rooftop bars, and exotic dancer venues. In other words, they can get pretty edgy.

It’s not uncommon for alcohol and free-spirited energy to flow at bachelorette parties among a bride and her besties.

Engagement parties are similar to baby showers in the sense that no one is “getting lit” or painting the town in a wild manner.

Things are meant to be more respectful and laidback as your loved ones honor the next step you’re headed in life.

Engagement parties include both the bride and groom in one place with friends, family members, and loved ones of all ages on the invite list.

This means little kids, babies in strollers, and grandparents are usually present. With super young and super elderly guests in the mix at an engagement party, the vibe is obviously far less rowdy than what you’d see at a bachelorette party.

So… is it necessary to celebrate your upcoming wedding with both events? The answer is a resounding YES!

These parties are so different from each other, they’re hard to compare. You shouldn’t miss out on what or the other out of fear that you’re doing too much or expecting too much out of your invitees.

Those who care to show up will make the time to be there for one or both events. Your besties will feel honored to celebrate in a fun and wild way at your bachelorette party, while your loved ones of all ages and walks of life will be happy to support you at your engagement party.